Ecommerce news: Etsy free shipping and eBay grouped items

In the news this week: eBay has enabled grouped products in search results, Etsy has changed how it promotes free shipping and Parcelforce releases a new tracking app. 

Grouped items in eBay search

eBay.com has now launched grouped listings - when searching on eBay buyers will now be able to choose to view search results with all identical items grouped together. The new search option will be accessible by clicking ‘Group Similar Listings’ on the search results page. Once the buyer finds the item that they’re looking for and they click on the product, they’ll be taking to another page where all the listings are displayed separately.

The new feature is available currently to desktop users in the US, UK, Germany and Australia. It will apply to all categories except Clothing, Shoes and Accessories, and Motors.

Sellers don’t need to make any changes to their listings, however listing within eBay’s catalog and using relevant product identifiers will ensure that your item is grouped with the correct items in search results.

Find out more about eBay grouped items here.

Etsy displays free shipping in search

Since October 16, Etsy has started to show free shipping as an option for its search. Shoppers will now be able to filter their search results by listings with free shipping, and a free shipping badge will be displayed on listings in search results. These changes will apply to listings that ship for free whether you’re offering free shipping using a sale or a shipping profile.

Free shipping offers and percentage-off discounts can also be combined, so shoppers can get a percentage off through a sale, and get free shipping with a coupon code.

Find out more about how free shipping is displayed on Etsy here.

Parcelforce Worldwide launches new delivery tools

Parcelforce Worldwide has launched several new tools to give recipients more control over their deliveries.

• Parcelforce App: The new app will allow customers to track the location of their parcel live on their phones. They’ll also be able to add delivery preferences for if they’re out when the parcel’s delivered.
  
• My Parcel Live: Available through the Parcelforce App this allows the sender and recipient to track the progress of their parcel - it displays the driver’s name, a map showing where they are and an estimated one-hour delivery window.
  
• Start of day notifications: A notification via text giving an estimated hour delivery window, with a link to tracking and the My Parcel Live service.
  

Customers will also now receive delay notifications throughout the day if there are any unexpected circumstances that hold up your delivery. Learn more about Parcelforce’s new app here.